Oliver, who grew up in Erdington before moving to Bedford aged around 11, said the show was soon offered US$15million (£10.3million) in medical debt for less than $60,000 (£42,000).

0.5¢

Estimated amount each $ of debt cost the show

The 39-year-old got his first big break in the US on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart in 2006.

According to website celebritynetworth123.com he is said to earn around £1.4million a year as host of his own show.

He added: "If I wanted to I could legally have CARP (the company) take possession of that list and have employees start calling people turning their lives upside down over medical debt they no longer had to pay.